A Bristol Borough Shining “Ray” of Light
by Cate Murway
“I graduated with Ray Naylor and played on the same football team with him. Ray and I have communicated since our 50th Reunion a few years ago.
Over the years I've been involved in sports playing from college to the pro level and in coaching. I've met many great athletes with natural talent during that time. Without a doubt Ray Naylor was the best athlete I've ever met. He could have done anything in sports that he chose to do. One of the qualities of a great athlete, according to my friend and former Dallas Cowboys Coach Tom Landry, is the depth of character to rise up in any circumstance to do one's best. That quality is innate to Ray's personality.
It has been, and I'm certain still is, to the benefit of all the students and educators who have known him over the years. One cannot be around Ray Naylor without coming away with a sense of uplift to do more and do it better in life. He would make a phenomenal subject for you to interview in the Bristol Pilot.”
A sincere “Thank You” to "Eddy" [Pastor Ed] Jones, BHS ‘57
Raymond [meaning “wise protector”] Benjamin Naylor, Sr., BHS ‘57/Bloomsburg/Rider feels that historic Bristol on the Delaware is unique and he wants to maintain, as much as possible, that aura of uniqueness and safeguard and protect its heritage. He possesses strong, potent roots to the community and to the schools, and he believes it’s time for him to start paying back to the town, to let today’s kids enjoy what he had.
His mother, Florence Ann and his father, Mahlon Willard Naylor, a founding member of the original Bristol Boys Club, were good stewards and Ray attests and demonstrates that it’s his responsibility to be the same.
He is determined to preserve the Borough’s identity.
Ray and his brother, Mahlon W. "Spike" Naylor II were born and raised on Cedar Street and the family moved to Buckley Street when the boys were in their teens.
Ray helped his older brother and his friend, Patrick tend and milk cows in the DiLorenzo’s barn in Bristol Township. “Patty’s” father owned DiLorenzo’s Pharmacy on the northwest corner of Washington and Wood Streets.
Ray hand milked the cows twice daily at 5:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Saturday's child must work for a living, but this particular job gave a new meaning to “husbandry”. Ray met the “beautiful young girl” Yvonne Carline DuGuay, who became his wife in June 1961. Yvonne shared that she was named after one of the infamous Dionne quints that were born in 1934.
The Naylors have 3 children, SC resident Cheri Susan Beesburg [husband, Anesthesiologist Dr. Robert Y. Beesburg]; Bristol Township resident Raymond Benjamin, Jr.; and their youngest, Lindsay “no middle name” Naylor, who is a Planning Manager at Estée Lauder. They are also the proud grandparents of Rob and Chloe.
Ray was a three-sport, football, wrestling and track standout, and has recently received the honor of being inducted into the BHS Hall of Fame. His remarkable athletic accolades include the Lower Bucks County League coaches' first-team selection as center/ defensive linebacker on the football team and the three-year letter winner also accomplished an undefeated wrestling year as a HS senior.
The late 1950’s were golden years for LBC track & field and Ray was one of the leading contenders, mastering the 100, 220 and 440 yards for Coach Anthony “Chic” D’Angelo, BHS ’42, who was honored in the Class of 1988 BHS Sports Hall of Fame.
“Ray was an incredibly dedicated individual, focused to be as good as he could be in all his athletic endeavors,” confirmed one of the first BHS Hall of Fame inductees, Robert Nicholas “Bob” Liberatore, Sr., BHS ’57.
Ray loves Bristol. It was a small town and “everyone knew everyone”!
His first trip to the Principal’s office verified that fact.
Principal Hertzler remarked, “Your father was never sent to me!”
Ray’s championship “tracks” from BHS were a precursor to additional events, distances and other measurements eventually leading him to grace the corridors as a renowned Principal himself at the Edgewood Elementary School, Manor Elementary School and Makefield Elementary School in the Pennsbury School District.
Ray was a recipient of the Robert L. Foose Award for outstanding scholarship, leadership and devotion to excellence in Educational Administration.
The driveway to the Edgewood Elementary School has been named Ray Naylor Drive.
The discipline, dedication and inner strength required to be a star performer clearly led this outstanding, iconic individual to becoming the influence and inspiration to so many young people to realize their full potential as healthy, productive, responsible and caring citizens.
As Adjunct Professor at the College of NJ and the Delaware Valley College, the blazing trails in academia became quite synonymous with this star athlete who had scorched the tracks with amazing athletic achievements in the sprints.
With its intent to preserve the legacy of its former sports heroes, the Bristol Senior Athletic Association [BSAA] celebrated its five-year anniversary with an Inaugural Anniversary Ball on May 1, 2009 at the Maltese Room in Bensalem.
Two of the BHS graduates who were honored for taking their game of football to the collegiate level were Ray Naylor, a Bloomsburg Huskie and his friend, Ed Jones, a Susquehanna U accomplished athlete.
At the seventh annual softball classic last May at the Mike Manto Little League Field, Ray declared he had just come to watch!
No more watching now!
Ray is the newly elected President of the Bristol Alumni Athletic Association, and this prestigious collection of former athletes is prepared to make a serious impression on today’s youth. They bring an affinity for success to their duties.
This group is using their exceptional talents and versatility in all sports and naturally honing them to become even brighter stars with the leadership of this new “Ray” of promise.
Per Pastor Ed, “The high school has a plethora of teachers whose lives are an example to any generation developing.”
The President Emeritus, Bob Liberatore has voiced his confidence in this selection.
“Ray will continue the objectives and thrusts of the organization. He is in complete concert with the direction and will advance the membership.”
The objectives to initiate and assist a renaissance in the pride and traditions of Bristol Athletics are clearly defined. Each has firmly made a pledge to promote youth student/athletic activities and to raise and distribute scholarship funds.
Teamwork always makes the dream work.
His buddy, Ed also shared, “I could name many who influenced my own life but Ray had a quiet intensity that translated into consistent and stellar performances in everything he did.”
Ray once even skillfully played the glockenspiel, a percussion instrument similar to the xylophone, in the Croydon String Band.
Ray’s memories are vivid and clear about the town he holds so dear.
There was a J.G. McCrory's five & dime store on Mill Street “where you could actually find items for 5 and 10 cents each”.
He worked at Spencer's Furniture Store, the current location of “The Kelch House Eatery”. It was his job to crank down the colorful fabric awnings every morning.
He would ride his bike, carrying the long handled crank, pretending it was a lance, while he “skewered the villains” on his way to work.
His graduation Baccalaureate celebration was held at the Grand Theater where he can remember seeing stars like Loretta Young and other notable performers.
He also held a part time position selling televisions and transistor radios at “Plavin’s Auto Boy's just off Mill Street, near where Lenny Monk’s Auto Repair is located”.
Ray remembers seeing Senator Joseph Grundy getting out of his big black Cadillac to drop off his suits at the cleaners.
He and “the neighborhood kids played kick the can and hide-and-seek on the grounds of the Bristol Travel Club across the street from our house; the club is now the Bristol Cultural and Historical Society building.”
Ray Naylor’s family and friend, athletic and academic, and community ties are all powerful and meaningful.
“Today when one talks with him, the same focus is there, but there is a deeper, calmer strength.
I KNOW he influenced many lives for good.” "Eddy" Jones, BHS ‘57
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
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Mahlon W. "Spike" Naylor II
Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 4:00 am
Mahlon W. Naylor II of Croydon passed away Saturday,
June 9, 2012, at St. Mary Medical Center. He was 74.
Born in Bristol, he was a lifelong resident.
Mahlon was a graduate of Bristol High School,Class of 1958.
Prior to his retirement, he was a service technician for RCA and GE for 31 years.
Father of the late Clifford M. Naylor; and son of the late Mahlon and Florence (Conca) Naylor, he is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bonnie A. (Snyder) Naylor; four sons, Mahlon J. Naylor (Joyce) of Yardley, Robert J. Naylor (Marie) of Levittown, Richard T. Naylor of Croydon, and David S. Naylor of Yardley; his daughter-in-law, Denise Naylor of Levittown; one brother, Raymond B. Naylor (Yvonne) of Yardley; nine grandchildren, Kristin, Joseph, Shannon, Megan, Nicole, Brittany, Bobby, Olivia and Gavin; and one great-grandson, Brady.
Family and friends are invited to attend his viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 14, at Molden Funeral Chapel, 133 Otter St. Bristol, where a service will follow at 8 p.m. A procession will form at 1 p.m. Friday, at the funeral chapel for interment in Bristol Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 480 Norristown Road, Suite 150 Bluebell, PA 19422.
To sign the online guestbook or send a condolence, please visit the funeral home Web site below. Molden Funeral Chapel, Bristol www.moldenfuneralchapel.com
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Tuesday, June 19, 2012 9:54 AM
Dear Ray,
Cate Murway of the Bristol Pilot sent a copy of the article about the passing of Mahlon. I was surprised and grieved. Please accept my sympathies to you and your family.
If I may, my memory of Mahlon is one of walking in the halls of Bristol High. Mahlon had a quick step like he was on a mission or moving to a goal. Even though focused in that way, when your eyes met his, he smiled quickly. Just an all around "good soul". I know the pain you feel having had the same loss.
We also share the same hope. "Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam, all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" I Corinthians 15:22.
Our class has had some good reunions, but someday......someday, we will have a grand reunion that will never end.
May the Spirit of peace rest over you
Ed
PASTOR ED Jones, BHS ‘57
"with God, all things are possible"
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Bonnie A. (Snyder) Naylor of Croydon passed away Monday, June 25, 2012
with her family at her side. She was 71.
Born in Bristol, she was a lifetime area resident.
She was a graduate of Bristol High School and worked
for many years as a paralegal for Antheil, Maslow, and MacMinn in Doylestown, Pa.
She was the wife for 54 years of the late Mahlon W. Naylor II and was also preceded in death by her son, Clifford Naylor, and her parents, Clifford and Ann Snyder.
She is survived by four sons, Mahlon J. Naylor (Joyce) of Yardley, Robert J. Naylor (Marie) of Levittown, Richard T. Naylor of Croydon and David S. Naylor of Yardley; her daughter-in-law, Denise Naylor of Levittown; her grandchildren, Kristin, Joseph, Shannon, Megan, Nicole, Brittany, Bobby, Olivia and Gavin; and one great-grandson, Brady.
Family and friends are invited to attend her viewing from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 30 at the Molden Funeral Chapel, Inc., 133 Otter St., Bristol, where the service will immediately follow at 10:30 a.m. followed by interment in Bristol Cemetery.
Contributions in her name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 480 Norristown Rd., Suite 150, Blue Bell, PA 19422.
To sign the online guestbook or send a condolence, visit the funeral home's web site below.
Molden Funeral Chapel, Inc., Bristol
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Clifford M. Naylor, age 47, of Levittown, PA, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009 at St. Josephs Manor in Meadowbrook, Pa., after an eight month battle with cancer, surrounded by his family. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Croydon, he was a lifelong area resident.
He was employed by Lockheed Martin in Moorestown, NJ and Newtown, PA for 23 years. Clifford enjoyed playing baseball in High School and played men’s slow pitch softball for many years. He also coached his daughters in Softball Teams in Bristol Twp. and was an avid Phillies fan. Most importantly, he was a loving and devoted husband and father.
He was the beloved husband of 26 years to Denise Napoli Naylor and the loving father to Shannon Naylor (fiancé John), Megan and Nikki Naylor. He will be sadly missed by his parents, Bonnie and Mahlon W. Naylor, his brothers, Mahlon J. (Joyce), Rob (Marie), Rick and David (Jenny) Naylor, his mother and father in law Lois and Michael Napoli, Jr., his brothers in law Michael Napoli (Maryann) and Robert Napoli (Jen) and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 from 6-8PM at the Molden Funeral Chapel Inc. 133 Otter St. Bristol, PA. A service will immediately follow at 8pm. A procession will leave Thursday July 2nd at 11:30 AM for interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Nicole Naylor Education Fund C/O TD Bank 624 S. Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030. Online condolences may be sent to
www.moldenfuneralchapel.com
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Raymond B. Naylor
Posted: Friday, June 13, 2014 4:00 am
Dr. Raymond B. Naylor of Lower Makefield Township, Pa., passed away Monday June 9, 2014 at St. Mary Medical Center, Langhorne, Pa. He was 74.
Born in Bristol, Pa., a son of the late Mahlon W. and Florence Conca Naylor, he had been a Lower Makefield resident for the past 28 years.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Yvonne DuGuay Naylor; two daughters and sons-in-law, Cheri and Robert Y. Beesburg Jr. of Chapin, S.C., and Lindsay and Robert H. Bodine III of Philadelphia, Pa.; a son, Raymond B. Naylor Jr. of Yardley, Pa.; and two grandchildren, Robert Y. Beesburg III and Chloe M. Beesburg.
Dr. Naylor was retired from the Pennsbury School District as Principal of the Edgewood Elementary School in Lower Makefield. He was graduated from Bloomsburg University, received his Masters degree from Rider University and his EdD. from Widener University.
Raymond was an avid golfer and loved hitting the links with his lifelong friends and dear son-in-law. He also enjoyed sailing and bicycling. Recently, Ray cycled the Great Allegheny Passage with his beloved son-in-law and took a sailing trip on the Chesapeake Bay, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Ray's favorite past time was spending time with his wife and best friend, Yvonne. They laughed together every day. His children and grandchildren were the light of his life, and he loved nothing more then spending time with them on beach vacations at the Jersey Shore.
He was president of the Bristol Alumni Athletic Association, president of the Yardleyville Horse Thieves Association, served on the Board of the Yardley Community Center, and was a member of St. Paul 's Episcopal Church in Levittown. Raymond was always ready and willing to lend a hand to anyone in need, and did so without hesitation or reservation.
Ray will be remembered as a most loving husband, father, grandfather, teacher, mentor, and friend. He will be dearly missed by everyone whose lives were touched by this most wonderful man, especially Jay, Dave, Jim D., Jim W., Bob, and Larry.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday evening, June 13, at FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home, 17 S. Delaware Avenue (River Road), Yardley, Pa. Private funeral services for family will be on Saturday.
Memorial contributions in Ray's name may be made to the Bristol Alumni Athletic Association, BAAA Box 31, Bristol, PA 19007. FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home Yardley
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Cate,
thank you for sending the email to me.found it and read it.
Thank you. I had no idea he was ill.
"I can't begin to express the grief it brings to my spirit. I held Ray in the highest esteem when we were "kids" in school, in sports, and in careers. I always said that he was the toughest athlete I ever knew in my sports experience in high school, college and pro. Ray carried over his strength of character into every area of his life."
Thank you so much for keeping me informed.Blessings to you
PASTOR ED
Mahlon, Mary Ida Weakley Reitz
and Raymond on Mifflin Street
click on thumbnail to enlarge
